Shower bath cabinet



y 26, 1931- w. BULTHUIS SHOWER BATH CABINET Filed May 17, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 19 73 M 6020M v M 9 May 26, 1931. BULTHUlS 1,806,668

SHOWER BATH CABINET Filed May 17/1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 .Tmue 121751? wax/mam E am/w; j w W 6M1 wal Patented May 26, 1931 WILLIAM BULTH'UIS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS snowna BATH CABINET Application filed May 17,

This inventionrelates to the art of bath cabinets, and has reference more particularly to both cabinets of the type employing a sheet metal stall and a molded base or receptor on which the stall is mounted.

Among the objects of the present invention are, to provide a sheet metal stall com-' bining light weight with a high degree of strength and rigidity; to provide in astall having angularly disposed walls improved leak-proof corner connections and stiffeners for the walls to provide an improved construction of frontentrance way stile; to provide in the base or receptor improved structural features that will obviate the presence of sharp edges or corners at the junctions of the receptor and the sheet metal superstructure that might cause accidental injury to the 1 users of-the cabinet; to provide a plaster finish for an exposed side orsides of the cabinet so as to improve and enhance the appearance thereof; and, generally, to improve a shower bath cabinet of thetype specified.

A practical and improved embodiment of 2 the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation. i Fig. 2 is a side el-evation viewed from the right of Fig.1. 1

.39 Fig. 3 is a top plan.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top plan enlarged of the upper righthand corner of the stall.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of. the parts shown in Fig. 4. r i

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are sectional views taken I on the lines 6 6, 7-7 and 8-8, respectively, of Fig. '5. t r Fig. 9 isla top plan of the right hand rear corner.

Fig. 10 is a sectional detail taken on the line lO-lO of Fig. 4. w

F ig. llis a vertical section through a portion of the receptor and the lower portions of V the rear wall and one of the side walls, viewed on theline 11-11 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 12 is a broken plan-view showingthe i right hand rear andfront corner portions of the receptor.

00 Fig. 13 is an enlarged .vertical section 1929. 7 Serial No. 363,815.

through the threshold of the receptor'taken on line 1313 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 14: is a horizontal section, similar to F 8, through a modified form of stile.

Fig. 15 is a top plan section through a side wall, one of the front stiles and a fragment of the rear wall, showing a plaster finishand the means for applying the same to the e x' terior of the side Wall. H

Fig. 16 is a side elevation broken out hori- Zontally and vertically of a portion of-one of the side walls showing the skeleton frame work applied thereto for supporting the metal lath and plaster finish.

Fig. 17 is a vertical section, broken out, on the line 1717 of Fig. 16. i

Fig. 18 is a vertical section, broken out, similar to Fig. 17, takenon the line 1818 of Fig. 15. 7

Referring to the drawings, 10 as an entirety the base or receptor of the cabinet, which is preferably an integral molded structure of the well known terrazzo type, composed of a mixture of cement and crushed marble. This receptor or base comprises a bottom wall 10 having a top surface sloping from its four sides to the usual central drain 11, a rear Wall 12, side walls 13, and a front walll; the inner surfacesof all of these walls preferably sloping downwardly and inwardly, as shown in Fig. 11, except that the intermediate portion of the -front wall, which constitutes the threshold of the usual front opening or entrance-way, is preferably formed of uniform width from top to'bottom;

At the two rear cornersof the receptor, there are molded a pair of corner fillets or pilasters 15, best shown in Figs. 11 and 12, that are of less height than the full height of the receptor; and, similarly, at the ends of the threshold portion-IFof the front wall there are formed similar pilasterslb.

Describing the siq'aerstructure or stall proper, this comprises generally a vertical sheet metal rear wall 17, vertical sheet metal side walls 18, vertical hollow stiles 19 flanle ing the entrance way, and a cross beam 20 between and connecting the upper ends of the stiles 19. r

Describing these parts more in detail, it

will be seen by reference to Fig. 11 that the lower ends of t 1e rear wall 17 and the side walls 13 extend downwardly into the top portion of the receptor and are attached to the latter by screws 21 passed through the walls and into tapped insert embedded in the receptor walls. Meeting vertical edges of the rear andside walls are united in the manner illustrated in Fig. 9, wherein it will be seen that side walls 13 are formed with inwardly oilset rectangular :rtensions 18, and the rear wall 1'? is formed on its vertical edges with inwardly directed rectangular e2;- tensions 17 that are folded around and interlitted with the extensions 13' of the side walls in a manner to provide a leak-proof joint and also create hollow corner fillets that substantially reinforce the rear and side walls against any lateral displacement or distortion. As clearly shown in Fig. 11, the lower ends of these hollow corner fillets are stepped on the flat upper ends of the receptor fillets or pilasters 15, and their walls are flush with the walls of the latter, 7.0 that the pilast-ers 15 serve both as struts or supports for the superstructure, reinforcing the attaching screws 21, and they also prevent the presence of sharp corners which might accidentally scratch or cut the leg or foot of the user of the cabinet.

Describing neXt the hollow stiles 19, it will be observed by reference to Figs. 4:, 5 and 8 that each of these stiles is continuous and substantially integral with its adjacent side wal 18, the blank from which the side wall is made carrying sufficient metal to form the hollow rectangular stile, the front and rear walls of the stile being rigidly connected by an angle strip 23, cleat 2 and uniting screws 25, in the manner clearly shown in Fig. 8. The sheet metal forming the hollow stile is so bent as to provide on the rear side of the inner edge a narrow olfset extension 19. As shown in Fig. 13, the front and edge walls of the stile are stepped on the front wall of the receptor, its rear wall overlapping the inner surface of the front wall of the receptor to the same extent as the side walls of the stall, and the lower end of the extension 19 rests upon the threshold pilast-er 16. This construction brings the entire inner surface of the superstructure inside and below the top line of the receptor, and the extension or head 19 acts as a deflector to prevent water from flowing around the stile and out through he entrance opening.

Further stili'ening and reinforcement of the rear and side walls of the stall are effected by outwardly directed flanges on the upper edges of said walls. Such flanges may be integrally bent portions of the walls, but, preferably, and as shown in 10, they consist of angle strips, the vertical limbs 26 of which are secured to the walls by screw bolts 2'2", while their horizontal limbs 28 overlap the upper edges of the walls and are preferably folded inwardly at their outer edges, as shown in Fig. 10, for a further stiffening ef feet and to avoid a sharp edge. As shown in Fig. 9, the adjacent ends of these flanges are overlapped and united by screws 28. By reference to Fig. 2, it will be observed that the flanges 28 are of a width such that their outer edges are vertically flush with the outer edges of the side and rear walls of the receptor, so that the cabinet may be in a corner of the room and make contact at both top and bottom with the walls of the room.

The upper ends of the hollow stiles 19 are rigidly connected and braced by the cross beam 20. This latter is preferably a hollow sheet metal structure comprising, as shown in Figs. l to 7 inclusive, a channel member 29 forming the bottom and side walls of the beam, and a top plate 30 fitted between the side walls. This top plate is attached to the side walls by internal U-shaped brackets 31, screws 32 and rivets 33; and the ends of the cross beam are attached to the inner edges oi the stiles 19 by internal U-shaped brackets 34, screws 35 and screw bolts 36. The top plate 30 of the cross beam is formed with end extensions 30 that enter the upper ends ot the stiles 19 and form top covers or closures for the latter; these extensions being preferably attached at their outer ends to the outer edge walls of the stiles by internal angle brackets 37 and screws 38, and also attached to the inner edge walls by internal angle brackets 39, the screw bolts 36 and a screw 40. The above-described structure forms a very strong, light and rigid frame-work for the front opening or entrance-way of the stall, and the presence of the cross beam 20 insures a true vertical position for the side walls 18 and the stiles 19, preventing any collapse or spreading of these parts at their upper ends.

In Fig. 14, I illustrate a slightly modified structure of hollow stile that may be used where the entire superstructure, including the stiles, is made of vitreous or porcelain enameled material. Here, the inner wall 41 of the stile consists of a bent extension of the side wall 18, while the front wall 42 and the inner and outer edge walls 43 and 44 are formed from a separate strip of the same material. The walls 41 and 43 are formed with rectangular inter-nested extensions 41 and a3 that together form two walls of the inwardly oil set bead or extension corresponding to the bead or extension 19' of Fig. 8.

In Figs. 15 to 18 inclusive, I have illustrated an external plaster finish for either or both of the side walls of the sheet metal superstructure, which is desirable where the superstructure may be of plain sheet metal, both to strengthen the structure and enhance its appearance. This improvement, generally described, comprises a steel skeleton frame work applied to the outer side of a side wall and a metal lath and plaster coating supported by said frame work. The supporting frame work .may be variously constructed, but in the drawings Ihave shown the same as comprising front and rear vertical Z-bars' and 51 respectively, that are stepped at their lower ends on the topv edge of the receptor, and at their lower and upper ends are attached as by screws 52 to the overlapping ends of lower and upper horizontal angle bars 53 and54. The lower angle bar 53 rests on the top edge of the receptor wall and preferably has a depending lip 53 fitted into a counter sink in the receptor wall just behind the side wall 18, to anchor the angle bar, in place. The upper angle bar 54, has its horizontal limb clamped between the over-hanging flange 28 on the upper edge of the wall 18 and an inwardly folded lip 28 on the flange 28. Preferably, a vertical angle bar 55 is placed midway between the Zbars 50 and 51, this angle bar 55 also being stepped on the receptor wall and secured to the vertical limbs of the angle 7 bars 53 and 54 by screws 56.

To the skeleton structure last described, is applied a metal lath indicated at 57 in Figs. 15 and 18; the Z-bars 50 and 51 and the intermediate angle bar 55. being apertured as indicated at 58 in Fig. 16, to receive suitable wires by which the metal lath is attached; and a plaster coating or covering 59 is then applied, the same filling the space between the top flange 28 and the top wall of the receptor, its outer surface being flush with the outer surface of the receptor walland the outer edge of the flange 28, as clearly shown in Fig. 18.

The described structure provides a bath cabinet of comparatively light weight and yet possessing a high degree of strength, rigidity and stability. The internal corner fillets formed by the interlocked marginal portions of the side and rear walls constitute in effect rear corner posts for the'structure, while the hollow stiles 19 constitute in effect front corner posts, to which posts the rear and side Walls are integrally united throughout their full height; while the top marginal flanges 28 substantially stiffen and reinforce the top portions of the side and rear walls. The described structure offers no chance for leakage of the water, all of which is drained down into the receptor and is dischargec through the receptor drain. The plaster finish on the side wall or walls is, of course, optional, so far as the novel structural fea-. tures of the cabinet itself are concerned; but it is especially desirable in the case of sin 'le cabinets as distinguishes from cabinets disposed in a row and contiguous or substantially contiguous, since it not only stiffens and strengthens the wall but improves its aspect and gives i a more finished and substantial appearance. i

I have herein shown and described a pre ferred mechanical embodiment of the invention,-but structural details thereof may be modified and varied more requirements of special installations,without involving any departure from the invention or sacrificing any ofthe advantages thereof; hence I reserve all'such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit and purview of the claims.

I claim: V r

' In a shower bath cabinet, the combination of a receptor formed with internal corner pilasters, and a sheet metal stall attached at its lowerend to said receptor, and formed with internal corner reinforcements resting on said pilasters.

2. In a shower bath cabinet, the combination of a receptor formed with integral in .ternal corner pilasters terminating below the top edge of said receptor, and a sheet metal stall attached at its lower end to said receptor 1 and formed with internal corner reinforcements resting on said pilasters.

8.111 a shower bath cabinet, the combination of a terrazzo receptor formed with integral internal corner pilasters terminating below the top edge of said receptor, and a sheet metal stall attached at its lower end to the inner surface of said receptor and formed with internal corner reinforcements resting on and'flush with said pilasters.

4. In a shower bath cabinet, a sheet metal stall comprising rear and side walls having contiguous integral vertical edge portions thereof bent inwardly and interfitted with each other forming leak-proof joints and corner reinforcements for said walls located in ternally of the cabinet.

5. In a showerbath cabinet, a sheet metal stall comprising rear and side walls disposed at right angles to each other and formed with rectangularly bent interiitting vertical edge portions disposed internally of the stall and forming hollow corner reinforcements for the latter, in combination with a base on which said stall is mounted, said base having corner .pilasters on which said corner reinforcements rest.

6. In a shower bath cabinet, a sheet metal stall comprising fiat rear and side walls, and angle strips attached bytheir vertical limbs to the-top edge portions of said walls and "having their horizontal limbs outwardly overhanging. said. walls, the contiguous end portions of said horizontal. limbs being overlapped and secured together.

7. In a shower bath cabinet, the combination with a receptor formedwith rear, side and front walls, of a sheet metal stall comprising rear and side walls secured at their lower ends to the inner sides of the rear and side walls of the receptor, and a pair of hollow stiles flanking the entrance way of the stall and stepped at their lower ends on the front wall of the receptor, said stiles being continuous with said side walls.

or less to meet the 8. In a shower bath cabinet, the combination with a receptor having rear and side walls and a front wall including a threshold portion and pilasters at the ends of said threshold portion of less height than the latter, of a sheet metal stall comprising rear and side walls secured at their lower ends to the inner sides of the rear and side walls of the receptor, and a pair of hollow stiles flanking the entrance way of the stall and stepped at their lower ends on the front wall of the receptor, said stiles being formed with inward- 1y offset portions extending below the main portions of the stiles and stepped on said pilasters.

9. in a shower bath cabinet, the combination with a receptor, of a sheet metal stall mounted on said receptor and comprising rear and side walls, a pair of hollow stiles flanking the entrance way of the stall and continuous with said side walls, and a crossbeam extending between, and connected at its ends to, the top portions of said stiles.

10. In a shower bath cabinet, the combination with a receptor, of a sheet metal stall n'iounted on said receptor and comprising rear and side walls, a pair of hollow stiles flanking the entrance way of the stall and continuous with said side walls, and a hollow crossbeam extending between, and fastened at its ends to, the inner sides of said stiles at the upper ends of the latter.

11. In a shower bath cabinet, the combination with a receptor, of a sheet metal stall mounted on said receptor and comprising rear and side walls, a pair of hollow stiles fianlring the entrance way of the stall and continuous with said side walls, and a hollow cross-beam extending between, and connected at the ends to, the top portions of said stiles, the upper plate of said hollow cross-beam being formed with end extensions forming closures for the upper ends of said stiles.

12. In a shower bath cabinet, the combination of a receptor, a sheet metal superstructure mounted on said receptor and inwardly offset from the external walls of the latter, said superstructure having an outwardly extending flange on its upper end the free edge of which is substantially in vertical alignment with the external walls of the receptor, a skeleton frame carrying metal lath on the outer side of said superstructure, and a plaster finish supported by said lath and frame filling the space between said flange and the top edge of the receptor.

13. In a shower bath cabinet, a sheet metal stall comprising rear and side walls, and a pair of hollow stiles flanking the entrance way of the stall, each of said stiles comprising an inner wall portion consisting of an integral extension of a side wall, and an outer wall portion attached to said inner wall portion.

Ll. In a shower bath cabinet, a sheet metal stall comprising rear and side walls, and a pair of hollow rectangular stiles flanking the entrance way of the stall, each of said stiles comprising a rear wall consisting of an integral extension of a side wall, and a separate sheet metal strip forming the front and edge walls of the stile attached to said rear wall.

WILLIAM BULTHUIS 

